2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta: all you need to know

For the first time, the World Rowing family will meet on the African continent. The town of Tshwane, near Pretoria, will host the 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta. After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Masters made their return to the rowing map last year in Libourne, France, for a very successful edition. Any rower aged 27 or more wanting to compete at the highest level, don’t look any further – Tshwane will be the place to be from 21 to 24 September 2023. Here’s everything you need to know about the event.

The Venue

Tshwane is the administrative capital of South Africa and consists of Pretoria and surrounding areas. It lies only 50km from OR Tambo International Airport and is connected to the airport by the Gautrain rapid rail link. Five major highways lead into the City of Tshwane providing vital access from all over the region. Roodeplaat Dam is situated 22km north-east of Tshwane and is the main rowing venue in Gauteng, often referred to as the home of South African rowing.

Accommodation

A range of accommodation options can be found close to Roodeplaat Dam. From 5-star luxury hotels and lodges to backpacker accommodation and camping, you can find something to suit your budget. The organizing committee has vetted and secured excellent rates at a number of hotels and lodges in the vicinity of the regatta venue. You can also stay in our glamping village on the
water’s edge at the regatta venue. Browse the options and book directly at https://www.wrmr2023.africa/Online-Bookings.
Participants staying at the official hotels have access to the shuttle service running between the hotel and the venue, for a safe, secure and hassle-free regatta experience.

Early bird registration

Entries for the 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta are now live at https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=8281. Early Bird entries are available until April 30 at 28€ per seat – it will then be 35€ / seat. Entries will close on 2 August 2023 at 12h59 (UTC +2). All entry fees include 1 EUR for the Masters Fund for youth development.

Boat rentals

Four official boat suppliers will provide approximately 400 rental boats for the regatta. Falcon, Filippi and Swift will be providing boat rental services, along with Concept 2 and Braca who will be renting oars and sculls. There will also have a local boat rental supplier offering a range of boats from local clubs, including Filippis, Empachers, Swifts and local boats by boat manufacturer, John Waugh. Boats must be rented directly from the boat builder and not through the Organising Committee.

Please contact the boat builders directly on the details below, to determine what they offer and what they charge per seat.

FILIPPI rent@filippiboats.com
FALCON contact@falconracing-europe.com
SWIFT www.swiftracing.com/boat-rental
LOCAL BOAT RENTAL SUPPLIER rsaboatrentalwm2023@gmail.com

Provisional race schedule

See here the provisional race schedule. Racing starts on Thursday 21 September, ending with the mixed doubles on Sunday 23 September. For the first time, inclusion doubles (W, M or MIX PR3 2x) will be included in the World Rowing Masters Regatta race schedule. An inclusion double consists of one able-bodied rower and one para rower with a valid classification. Athletes are eligible to race in the inclusion double if they have an eligible impairment for Para-rowing caused by an underlying condition and meet the minimal impairment criteria for Para-rowing.